Defining the People Who Should Pray

ByRobert PreyssWednesday, October 24, 2012

November 1, 2012, is a day we set aside for a National Call to Prayer and Fasting for the Restoration of America. We have already defined the need for such a large coordinated prayer. We also know Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Day of Prayer and Fasting during the great Civil War.

We have submitted a template for a National Prayer. Based on American History and The Bible, we described the God Americans will be praying to for Restoration. Again, based on the Bible and God’s inerrant word, we examined our expectation for the success of this prayer. All that is left is to describe the people who should pray:

THE CHILDREN OF GOD. According to Scripture, it is only important to the Lord that His children pray. He says “If MY PEOPLE, WHICH ARE CALLED BY NAME, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I WILL hear from heaven, and forgive their sins, and heal their land. He KNOWS His children: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and did appoint you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” He calls everyone with mixed results, and they come to Him early and late in life. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God. [John 1:12] In order to become a child of God, and saved, one must have faith that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” [Hebrews 11:6] Some have rejected His call for now. They may or may not be called again. Perhaps they are rolling the dice for the light of a deathbed confession. The most famous deathbed confession would be from one thief on the cross. Jesus said to him “Today you shall be with me in Paradise.” The other thief was hanging just as close.

How are CHILDREN OF GOD described in Scripture? 1. As sheep. “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me… No one can snatch them out of my hand.” [John 10: 27, 28] From this verse His children clearly have a “personal relationship.” 2. As men who live by faith and not by sight. [2 Corinthians 5:7]. 3. As runners who are to persevere in whatever race that is set before them.

[Hebrews 12:1]. 4. As men who are known by their love. [Galatians 5:22]. The inverse is this: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” [1 John 4:7] 5. As men endowed with a spirit of power, not timidity. [2 Timothy 1:7] 6. As men occasionally oppressed, afflicted, and always encouraged in their trouble. [Psalm 9:9; Psalm 10:17; John 16:33]. 7. As Evil, according to Original Sin:
“If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give the Holy Ghost to those who ask Him?” [Luke 11:13] 8. As reformed thieves and worse. [Ephesians 4:28] 9. As Spirit filled. [Ezekiel 36:27] 10. As Weak, often unable to pray except by the Holy Spirit anticipating the prayer. [Romans 8:26]11. As Generous. [Psalm 37:21] God fearing. [Leviticus 25:17]. As God’s chosen people. [Colossians 3:12].And, Free. [John 8:36]

If you examine these character traits of GOD’S CHILDREN, you recognize the character of America, under God.

There are many in America and around the world who claim to have a Christian faith tradition, but have denominational and regional and cultural differences, or have become “lukewarm.” God has not excused this. “Because you are neither hot nor cold – only lukewarm – I will spew you out of My mouth.” [Rev. 3:16] If they examine the Scriptures they would grow in faith. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” [Romans 10:17]. Some who have no interest in things of God now, but who are destined for the Book of Life, sooner or later will be convicted by the Holy Spirit, “turn from their wicked ways”, and be saved. Some are currently counted as thieves, liars, adulterers, coveters, drunkards, gluttons, murderers, traitors, haters without reason, sorcerers, and other abominations – all of us who crucified the Lord.

Pray for America, for all men and women written into the Book of Life before all worlds, that their eyes be opened now. Pray for these recognizable types you see every day:

The Agnostic, whose child sang, “Jesus Loves Me This I know.” Without faith in His existence, “… it is impossible to please Him.” [Hebrews 11:6] Note “the fool in his heart says there is no God.” [Psalm 14:1] Note “the devils believe and tremble.” [James 2:19] It is that self-evident. This understanding dawns on everybody.

The Shyster, who will never lose an argument until he tries to bargain back his soul: “No one should wrong his brother or take advantage or him. The Lord shall punish men for all such sins as we have already told you and warned you.” [1 Thessalonians 4:6]. Perhaps there is a line he will not cross.

The Unusually Good Liar, who suddenly cannot hide his lying eyes: “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.” [Proverbs 19:5]

The Hipster, who surrounded himself with himself: “In the last days there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who will divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” Jude 18:21

The Worldly Wise Man, who has lost the street and his childlike wonder: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” [James 4:1-4]

The Deluded Man, who always knew he lived in a pipe dream: “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them, and make the rough places smooth.” [Isaiah 42:16] “The Lord gives sight to the blind.” [Psalm 146:8]

Actors, “Hypokrites”, and Poets, who, “Like Milton, belong to the Devil’s Party without knowing it” [Wm. Blake]: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels unawares.” [Hebrews 13:2] Comes an odd reading of a line at the bottom of a SAG-AFTRA rate card: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” [Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5.]

The Offended Voter, who “accidentally” finds a bookmark: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house, or land, or manservant, or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” [Deuteronomy 5:21, 10th commandment]

The Man Who Cries for Love, and has none: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God, Everyone who loves has been born of God knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” [1 John 4: 7, 8]

The Unsaved Man, on his death bed: “Show me O Lord my life’s end, and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before You. Each man’s life is but a breath.” [Psalm 39: 4, 5]

And more.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, and pray for Restoration on November 1, 2012. God bless America.